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(No Model.)

H. R. TOWNE. HANGER FOR OVERHEAD TEAM RAILS.

Patented Apr. 28, 1885.

w HQNEENN 129% x. A WEN HENRY R. TOWNE, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE YALE & TOWN E MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF-SAME PLACE.

HANGER FOR OVERHEAD TRAlVl-RAlLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 316,504, dated April 28, 1885.

Application filed November 19, 1883.

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, HENRY R. TowNE, of Stamford, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hangers for Overhead Tram-Rails, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable support for thejoints or abutting ends of overhead tranrrails, both vertically and laterally-for example, such as are set forth in United States Patent No. 275,465without increasing the thickness of the web portion of :5 the rail or I-beam or of its bottom flange, and

so as not to offer any obstruction to the passage of the trolley. To accomplish these objects, I provide a hanger consisting of a flat piece of metal of the thickness and height of the web, which is fastened to or formed into a bolt at the top, and a shoe fitting the lower flange at the bottom.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the adjacent ends of two I-beams, forming the track of an overhead tramway, and of the means I have provided for securing them in place. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 22 ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the end 50 of one of the rails. Fig. 41s an end elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the top of one end of the rail. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the hanger. Fig. 8 is a section and bottom 5 plan view of the hanger-cap.

Referring to the different parts of my improved hangers by means of the letters upon the drawings, A in Fig. 1 indicates an I-beam or track of ordinary construction for overhead 4o tramways, and B another similar rail, their ends being adjacent and supported against both vertical and lateral displacement by means of a hanger composed of a bolt or rod, 0, to which is securely fastened in any suitable way a metal plate, D, preferably of the thickness and height of the web of the rail, and having (No model.)

upon its lower end a shoe, E, as shown in Fig.

2, with its edges 6 6 turned up. The lower flange of each Ibeam near its end is cut away suitably to receive the upturned edges 6 e of the shoe, which is applied to support the adjacent ends of the rails and to prevent lateral displacement, as illustrated in Fig. 1. These adjacent ends are cut away in order to accommodate the parts of the hanger and the bolt, 5 as is well illustrated by Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

F indicates a cap which is turned down at its edges f and fits over the top of the ends of the rail and assists in preventing lateral displacement.

This hanger, it will be observed, does not increase the thickness of the I-beani in any respect, and thus does not interfere with the travel of a trolley upon the lower flange of the beam in the usual manner, whileit at the same 05 I time vertically supports and laterally stays the track, and is simple and economical in construction and convenient for application.

I do not confine my invention to the precise form of embodiment herein described and illustrated, because more formal changes may be made without departing from the substance of what I have invented.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. Ahanger for the abutting ends ofan over head tranrrail, consisting of a vertical supportngrod, a plate, and a shoe, whereby the rail ends are supported vertically and laterally, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the abutting ends of an overhead tram-rail, of a vertical supporting-rod, a plate, a shoe, and a cap, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of November, A. D. 1888.

HENRY R. TOWNE. WVitnesses:

SOHUYLER MERRITT,

GEo. E. WHITE. 

